He 's got blue wings , an adventurous spirit and is poised to be the latest film star to come out of South Africa .

A high-spirited young falcon , Kai is the main character in `` Zambezia , '' a new South African 3D animation film featuring an all-star voice cast , including Hollywood A-listers Samuel L. Jackson , Abigail Breslin , Jeff Goldblum , Leonard Nimoy and Jeremy Suarez .

Set in the majestic Victoria Falls and inspired by southern Africa 's startling artwork , `` Zambezia '' is hoping to put South African animation on the map while enthralling children around the world with its uplifting message of togetherness .

The movie , produced by Cape Town-based Triggerfish Animation Studios , has been selected as the closing film of the 33rd edition of the Durban International Film Festival , which runs until July 29 .

`` The film is a wonderful ambassador , in a way , of South Africa and I think as it travels the world it 's going to spread the word about an industry that is young and vibrant and extremely talented , '' says `` Zambezia '' director and co-writer Wayne Thornley .

`` In and of itself , I think it 's just an enjoyable ride for children and they 're going to come away wishing they could fly . ''

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The movie , which is targeted toward children aged five to 11 , tells the story of Kai , an intrepid young falcon that 's brought up by his strict father in an isolated outpost . His lonely life is turned upside down when a kooky bird crashes into his world and tells him of Zambezia -- a bustling bird city where `` there 's amazing food , music , sights and sounds . ''

A talented flier , Kai decides to leave his isolated upbringing behind him and explore life in Zambezia . He quickly realizes , however , that getting by in a city can be more difficult and demanding than living alone .

Yet , after joining Zambezia 's air force and defending it from a band of marauding lizards , he also discovers the true values of teamwork and community sharing .

Thornley says the movie was guided by the traditional African principle of ubuntu , which he describes roughly as `` a person is a person only because of other people '' -- he says that the movie 's heartwarming theme will resonate with both African and international audiences .

`` Everyone can relate to that idea that it 's better , it 's easier to do things together , that teams are just more vibrant and get more things done , '' he says . `` They are difficult and messy and it 's not always easy but it is worth it -- I think that 's a universal theme and I hope that audiences around the world come away with that kind of message going : it 's safer to stay alone but it 's not better . ''

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The concept for the movie originated about seven years ago but production took just over two years to be completed . The third computer generated 3D film to be made in South Africa , `` Zambezia '' is `` probably the biggest budget animated film ever to come out of anywhere in Africa , '' says Thornley -- Triggerfish was unable to disclose how much the film cost , but said its budget was under $ 20 million .

The movie 's international appeal is expected to be raised by the high-profile roster of actors lending their voices to the characters . Thornley says it all became possible after well-known U.S. producer Mace Neufeld saw the film by chance . `` He liked what he saw and he finally got involved and started opening doors for us . ''

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Working with top Hollywood stars such as Jackson and Goldblum was `` an honor '' and `` really fun '' , says Thornley .

`` It was gratifying that they treated it seriously like any project , '' he says . `` We tend to think of ourselves that we 're this little studio but they were fantastic and it was really a great experience , '' he adds .

`` Zambezia '' had its world premiere at France 's Annecy Animation Festival last month and was released in Israel earlier in July . It will hit the big screen in Germany and Switzerland on August 30 , while its South Africa release is scheduled for December 26 .

It has already been sold in more than 30 territories for screening in over 50 countries , including a distribution deal in English-speaking territories with Sony , according to Triggerfish Animation .

Thornley says South Africa 's animation industry is still young and small but it is `` definitely punching above its weight . ''

`` I want people to sit back and have a fantastic time with the characters and have a fantastic insight into some of the amazing African landscapes that we 've put into this film , '' says Thornley .

`` But also I want them to come away really surprised that something like that could come out of Africa and South Africa in particular . ''

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`` Zambezia '' is a new South African 3D animation feature film

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The movie stars the voices of Samuel L. Jackson , Jeremy Suarez and Jeff Goldblum

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It has been chosen to close the 33rd edition of the Durban International Film Festival

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`` Zambezia '' is targeted toward children aged five to 11